the last chance for a deal might be today at 3:00. president obama has scheduled a meeting in the oval office with vice president biden by his side. he's hosting all the major players. the chances of success, depends on who you talk to. >> getting more optimistic. sometimes it's darkest before the dawn. >> this afternoons meetings feels much like optics. >> there are some signs of possible flexibility, but first of all it would be helpful if the house of representatives actually came back. right now we're at a stalemate, because the democrats haven't been willing to consider the issue of spending. >> i want to bring in perry bacon and it edward keith. most of that was just from today. is this meeting to hash out details or perhaps to save face bhf we go over the cliff? >> i would argue today's meeting is they actually thing the outlines of a deal are possible. the president will push today for some agreement in which the middle-class tax cuts are extended for everyone, while the higher rates go up, we also put off the rest of the deta